Man Found Guilty in $5M Mortgage Fraud Scheme

Eric Devon Bernard, 31, Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, was found guilty for his role in a $5 million mortgage fraud scheme.

Bernard, who legally changed his name to Eric Allen Shirpiro, was found guilty by Hennepin County, Minnesota, District Court Judge George McGunnigle of racketeering for his role in the 2006 scheme.

The county attorney’s office argued that Bernard was a flight risk and asked that he be taken into custody until his sentencing. The judge agreed.

The trial before McGunnigle, without a jury, concluded Aug. 5, 2011.

The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case.

“We continue to aggressively prosecute these mortgage fraudsters,” Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman said. “Identity theft and fraudulent transfers need to stop. Thanks to some great police work, these abusers have been brought to justice.”

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